SUFFERING AND IDENTITY
IN CONSTRUCTION
GLADNESS. COMPASSION, AND BENEVOLENT LOVE
GLADNESS AND BENEVOLENT LOVE
In the development of the undestnding of Suffering, Dharma studies place emphasis upon the two great pillars of MAHAYANA BUDDHISM, which are COMPASSION and WISDOM, but there are two other related EXPERIENCES which can be experienced by a person on the correct path to personal LIBERATION. They are GLADNESS and BENEVOLENT LOVE.
When GLADNESS is active as a PROCESS, then you develop your own ATTITUDE in a correct way, yoking yourself to someone or a group, being PREPARED AT ALL TIMES to be HAPPY when they are HAPPY.
When BENEVOLENT LOVE or LOVING KINDNESS is active as a PROCESS, then you direct your own LOVE and JOY towards someone or a group as pure ENERGY or as a BENEVOLENT ACTION, wishing them to be eternally HAPPY.
Now, true GLADNESS and BENEVOLENT LOVE are very SELFLESS. You can see then that it is important in both these cases that they are free of SELFISHNESS. If SELFISHNESS is present then we say that a SELFISH IDENTITY is present.
These SELFLESS definitions of GLADNESS and BENEVOLENT LOVE are quite specific, so you may intuit that there exists another form of GLADNESS and another form of LOVE which is not BENEVOLENT at all. That is correct.
It is not as easy to see that most of our GLADNESS is tainted. We seem to experience HAPPINESS often for other people, do we not? It seems free of taints. When others receive a gift, are we not HAPPY? It appears so, but there is a very subtle form of FALSE GLADNESS which generally slips into our minds. It is an infectious vicarious enjoyment which declares, "That's the way I would feel if I received that", "I am pleased that they enjoy the gift I gave" or "I am happy because this is creating a very pleasant and happy environment". There is a very subtle IDENTITY attachment in this FALSE GLADNESS. Philosophically it is called "hedonism."
While the hedonist philosophy says that this selfish IDENTITY is ALWAYS present, we say that it is MOST OFTEN present. TRUE GLADNESS exists. The problem is that it can only be released if there is a growth of WISDOM and if there is a mindfulness which detects the presence of INCORRECT ATTITUDES and can sense the contamination of the IDENTITY.
It is much easier to detect the presence of FALSE LOVE, yet its presence is always loudly denied with indignation. Nonetheless it is, in fact, the LOVE which everyone accepts as being true and wonderful. Poems are written about it, songs are written about it, and everyone seeks it, yet it is FALSE.
Accompanying this apparently magnificent experience which we call mistakenly TRUE LOVE, there is POSSESSIVENESS, JEALOUSY, DEPENDENCE, FEAR, and a hundred or more other subtle states of SUFFERING. The surprising thing is that this FALSE LOVE plays an important part in most peoples' lives. That is because it is a very strong experience and we have been conditioned to the idea that this type of love is important.
True BENEVOLENT LOVE is important, but no one has ever bothered to teach us in our lives what real love is all about. That is one of the great things about the GREAT MANTRA. It permits you to experience true love by DIRECT EXPERIENCE and to set aside the INDIRECT ANTAGONIST of BENEVOLENT LOVE, which is actually AFFECTION. The condition of FALSE LOVE is a complex meld of this AFFECTION and other IDENTITY attributes.
If asked about the LOVE which appears to exist between parents and children, between partners, friends, and perhaps between a person and nature, it would be tempting to think of these as different. In fact they are not. All are related to BENEVOLENT LOVE when they are generated and experienced, and when there is the presence of WISDOM.
Moreover, there is not just one apparent IDENTITY which resides within each person's subconscious MIND; there are four. When these four IDENTITIES interfere with the mental states of parental love, partner love, and loving friendship, these forms of love appear extremely different from BENEVOLENT LOVE, because of the different selfish demands and expectations imposed by each of the IDENTITIES.
These differences really lie only in the way in which your own mind perceives the demands of these IDENTITIES, and the way in which the DEMANDS are interpreted. You will learn a great deal about the IDENTITIES as you proceed with the commentary, but it is useful now to understand a little about their nature.
First of all there is a VISCERAL IDENTITY which we call ID. This IDENTITY has as its objective the full satiation of its VISCERAL NEEDS, which you will see are corruptions of the NATURAL requirements of the human creature. Next there is the IDENTITY called EGO. We have all heard a great deal about EGO, for this term is used in everyday conversation to describe a particular IDENTITY state. It stands for SELFISHNESS, actually GREED. The EGO IDENTITY, like ID, seeks satiation in this case, in order to attain the SECURITY which it requires. The third major IDENTITY is SUPER EGO. Basically it is a social IDENTITY. It too seeks the satisfaction of its demands, which take the form of DOMINATION and HOSTILITY.
Each of these IDENTITIES influences ATTITUDES, INTENTIONS, and ACTIONS. Basically, however, the IDENTITY which most influences ATTITUDES is the ID IDENTITY, while INTENTIONS are most influenced by the EGO IDENTITY. Finally, all our human ACTIONS are influenced by the SUPER EGO. All these IDENTITIES operate from the subconscious, so we are seldom actually aware of their presence.
In matters which rule important behaviour in each person, one of the IDENTITIES, decided by inherited factors, actually becomes the GOVERNING IDENTITY, and it is this IDENTITY which unfortunately takes prominence in one's life.
Needless to say, with so many different IDENTITIES present, nothing is decided easily, and ATTITUDES, INTENTIONS, and ACTIONS become a potpourri of errors. To complicate matters, there is a fourth IDENTITY which is each person's IDEAL IDENTITY: a personal view of how each person wishes to be seen by others. This IDENTITY also keeps the witches' cauldron of internal bickering bubbling.
Why are all these different IDENTITIES present? We shall see later how they arose in the human subconscious, having grown from NATURAL roots. However, they are clearly now a corrupting influence which we could well do without. It is part of the task of the GREAT MANTRA OF COMPASSION to eliminate these IDENTITIES and the DEMANDS which they control.
Where does that leave the human creature if the major IDENTITY and secondary CRAVING and CLINGING are eliminated? Will he be in a limbo without an IDENTITY? Clearly not, for he will possess a liberated Buddha Nature, which is the residual base of each person's natural SELFLESS IDENTITY of natural WISDOM.
It is upon this base that TRANSCENDENTAL WISDOM is laid. We can say therefore that each human creature, no matter how lost he may be in the wilderness of ignorance has this predisposition for WISDOM. This will seem like a paradox at the moment, but everything will become clear as you progress.
Because society has a strong influence on the four IDENTITIES, the GLADNESS, COMPASSION, and the true potential BENEVOLENT LOVING behaviour of each person for others has been distorted. In fact the experience of LOVE is so distorted in human creatures that it cannot be considered as genuine LOVE at all.
True LOVE, which is derived from BENEVOLENT LOVE, is a recognition of complete trascendental UNION which is not physical or mental in the traditional way. Correct LOVE is transmitted and experienced as a product of that UNION. FALSE LOVE, on the other hand, is created by the mind and it forces a FALSE UNION which is the result of generations of successive social psychological brainwashing based upon the false needs of COMFORT, SECURITY, and BELONGING.
The impetus for that FALSE UNION is the SUPER EGO. This FALSE UNION also melds VISCERAL and EGO selfishness with the distorted NATURAL DRIVE to belong or be united with others. The roots of this drive are quite natural, but selfishness has destroyed all the natural components and now, in the human creature, this selfishness dictates our behaviour and creates SUFFERING.
GENESIS OF TRUE LOVE
NATURAL DRIVE TO BELONG
BENEVOLENT LOVE RECOGNITION OF UNION
TRANSCENDENTAL UNION
EXPERIENCE OF TRUE LOVE
GENESIS OF FALSE LOVE
NATURAL DRIVE TO BELONG MIND
SUPER EGO DEMAND
VISCERAL ID SELFISHNESS
EGO SELFISHNESS
SELFISH UNION
SELF GRATIFICATION
EXPERIENCE OF LOVE (FALSE) EXPERIENCE OF SUFFERING
Most who read this will immediately protest and say, "I love my children, I love my friends, I love my partner". Do you really? Examine yourself and your behaviour closely. Is your love totally benevolent and selfless? Are you truly in UNION, reserving nothing selfishly for yourself? Do you give this love unconditionally? Is your love that which Jesus Christ, Buddha, and other great masters talk about, or is it different? Clearly, every human creature has this BENEVOLENT LOVE available. Is what you express that BENEVOLENT LOVE or something else?
There is another important aspect to this TRUE LOVE. In giving, it is selfless and unconditional, and in receiving there is no expectation, craving or clinging to the sacrifice made or to the unconditional state of that love. In all cases of TRADITIONAL FALSE LOVE, due to the presence of the IDENTITIES, that love has a debilitating attribute which lets us see, if we are alert for its presence, the complete frailty of that LOVE experience. It Egotistically demands complete UNCONDITIONED SACRIFICE, based upon IDENTITY. This is seldom received, however, so that FALSE LOVE remains always unsatiated, creating constant unhappiness and suffering in most relationships.
COMPASSION and SUFFERING
Now we know in a general way what GLADNESS and BENEVOLENT LOVE are and how these experiences have been distorted. But, we cannot, in this GREAT MANTRA OF COMPASSION, isolate either of these from COMPASSION, because they all play an integral part in the transmission of the Mantra. COMPASSION is the central theme of the GREAT COMPASSION MANTRA. So let's place the definition of COMPASSION between those of GLADNESS and BENEVOLENT LOVE.
When GLADNESS is active as a PROCESS, then you develop your own ATTITUDE in a correct way, yoking yourself to someone or a group, being prepared at all times to be HAPPY when they are HAPPY.
When COMPASSION is active as a PROCESS, then you develop your WILL or CORRECT INTENTIONS, wishing someone or a group of persons to be FREE from SUFFERING.
When BENEVOLENT LOVE or LOVING KINDNESS is active as a PROCESS, then you direct your own LOVE and JOY towards someone or a group as pure ENERGY or as a BENEVOLENT ACTION, wishing them to be eternally HAPPY.
Do you see the apparent natural progression in the sentiments? GLADNESS is preparedness to enjoy the future HAPPINESS of someone. COMPASSION actually arises when you wish others not to SUFFER. BENEVOLENT LOVE wishes them full HAPPINESS. Each is a completely selfless sentiment and each is completely natural, although most people have unfortunately never ever experienced them.
How can you tell when you are experiencing real GLADNESS, COMPASSION, and BENEVOLENT LOVE? It is not easy, but the PROCESSES which develop GLADNESS, COMPASSION, and BENEVOLENT LOVE generate an experience of calm WELL BEING within oneself which is devoid of the illusion of SELF. With patience one can detect that WELL BEING and can tell the difference between that experience and SELF SATISFACTION. The difference is very subtle, so do not allow yourself to be misled. If you can sense that difference and have the volition to return to a natural and correct path, then the use of the GREAT COMPASSION MANTRA will release that WISDOM.
Just as there exists FALSE GLADNESS and FALSE LOVE, there exists FALSE COMPASSION, which is PITY and EMPATHY. Can you see that neither of these are TRUE COMPASSION, which must be SELFLESS? In both pity and empathy the EGO IDENTITY is present. This EGO IDENTITY places itself selfishly at the centre of your thoughts. The IDENTITIES are all enemies of GLADNESS, COMPASSION, and BENEVOLENT LOVE and are great destroyers of all your truly natural behaviour. Fortunately, the use of the MANTRA of COMPASSION will lead to the destruction of these IDENTITIES.
INTERFERENCE OF THE IDENTITIES
CORRECT EXPERIENCES INCORRECT EXPERIENCES
CORRECT BEHAVIOUR
SIGNALED BY
EXPERIENCES
GLADNESS ID FALSE GLADNESS
COMPASSION EGO FALSE COMPASSION
BENEVOLENT LOVE SUPER EGO FALSE LOVE
DICTATES BEHAVIOUR
Now FALSE GLADNESS, FALSE COMPASSION, and FALSE LOVE are not really experiences like GLADNESS, COMPASSION, and BENEVOLENT LOVE. Like all the experiences of the AFFLICTED MIND the wisdom obscuring experiences are not really pleasurable, unpleasurable, or neutral in themselves they
are pleasureable attachment, unpleasurable detachment, or Identity indifference.
What of the IDEAL IDENTITY? Does it play a part in this drama of selfishness and deception? Yes it does. It is true that the IDEAL IDENTITY is not selfish, but it plays its part in covering up the INCORRECT BEHAVIOUR generated by the other IDENTITIES. While ID, EGO, and SUPER EGO create all sorts of psychological havoc beneath the surface and dictate behaviour, the IDEAL IDENTITY puts a SOCIAL MASK over the external behaviour so that others cannot see what is really going on. This IDEAL IDENTITY, you see, wants everyone to think that things are idyllic and perfect. What a terrible comedy of errors all this is.
Bearing this psychological framework in mind, let us proceed with an examination of the concept of COMPASSION. This Mantra is called the GREAT MANTRA of COMPASSION. Do you believe that you know what COMPASSION is? We have said that it is not "feeling sorry for someone", nor is it "having empathy". These are called the INDIRECT ANTAGONISTS of COMPASSION.
COMPASSION arises when the human creature, in response to his correct BENEVOLENT NATURE forms, from his CORRECT ATTITUDES stored in memory, an INTENTION to act in a benevolent manner.
This INTENTION may be raised in CONSCIOUSNESS without an action actually being contemplated at the moment. When this INTENTION, after much subliminal mental activity, is formed completely, the subconscious performs a natural operation which is called the CONFIRMATION OF CORRECTNESS. If that INTENTION is confirmed as natural and correct, then the EXPERIENCE of COMPASSION accompanied by a general state of WELL BEING is perceived within CONSCIOUS AWARENESS. It is important to note that COMPASSION DOES NOT ELICIT CORRECT INTENTIONS. It is the reverse, CORRECT INTENTIONS ELICIT EXPERIENCES OF COMPASSION.
THE CORRECT AROUSAL OF COMPASSION
SENSE DOORS MIND DOOR
CORRECT ATTITUDES
CORRECT SUBLIMINAL ACTIVITY
CORRECT INTENTIONS
CONFIRMATION WELL BEING COMPASSION
Can you see that the EXPERIENCE of COMPASSION is a signal that your INTENTIONS are natural and correct? Unfortunately, in the human creature we have evolved a system in which FALSE COMPASSION controls the INTENTION. As a result, contaminated CONSCIOUS INTELLECT, which is the creator of the delusions which are FALSE COMPASSION, controls INTENTIONS, and resulting ACTIONS and responses are neither correct nor natural.
THE INCORRECT AROUSAL OF COMPASSION
SENSE DOORS MIND DOOR
CONTAMINATED ATTITUDES CONCIOUS INTELLECT
SELF SATISFACTION FALSE COMPASSION
INTENTION
IDENTITY INFLATION
In this second diagram you will see that the final IDENTITY INFLATION reinforces the IDENTITY activity and further contaminates all ATTITUDES, while in the correct operation in the first diagram, it is the signal accompanying compassion which reinforces CORRECT ATTITUDES.
CHAPTER 3: SUFFERING
Now you cannot understand COMPASSION fully if you do not understand what SUFFERING is. Everyone at some time or other has suffered, so it would appear that SUFFERING would need no definition. Actually that is not so. Because almost everyone has suffered, and because that SUFFERING is generally intense and often unbearable, people define SUFFERING in terms of the extreme unpleasant experiences which they have. Most people do not understand SUFFERING in depth because they have not allowed themselves the luxury of true introspection, which looks at all the SUFFERING which exists within them. They are much more aware of the STRESS which accompanies SUFFERING.
The important question, however, is why the human creature SUFFERS at all. To examine this let's return to the external world and the human sense organs. Actually what is "out there" is not known by the human creature at all. What really happens is that various properties of those things impinge upon the sense organs, stimulating activity so that messages are sent to the brain.
We can say that the sentient human being, SATTVA, is really his eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and his thinking mind which attempts to interpret what is "out there". The organs, when active, result in various impressions upon the SCREEN OF CONSCIOUSNESS, which we call EXPERIENCES. There are then six SENSE BASES and six SENSE CONCIOUSNESSES, which are sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and thinking mind.
In addition to these, however there are two other consciousnesses. The first is an ever present UNCONSCIOUS, ALAYA VIJNANA, and the second an ever present IDENTITY AFFLICTED CONSCIOUSNESS, KLISTA MANAS. If there was no IDENTITY CONSCIOUSNESS then there would be perception which would consist of visual observations, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, and various residual impressions of those events. However, there would be no cognisized FORM, that is, no name and no recognition. Furthermore there would be neither right and wrong, nor appropriate and inappropriate. There would be SENSATIONS (SPARSA), EMOTIONS (VEDANA), ATTENTION (MANASKAR), VOLITION which is a stirring of the mind in the form of reactions, and COGNITION (SAMJA), which would produce the sensation of "it's there" without there being any knowledge about what that thing was.
In the face of all these EXPERIENCES the human creature would be completely EQUANIMOUS, UPEKSA, but clearly, despite the SENSATIONS, EMOTIONS, and the THINKING, there would be no HAPPINESS or SUFFERING. The human creature would be able to operate perfectly within the environment just as every other animal does, but would not know what anything was or be able to understand any of the relationships between itself, a cause and an event, although it would be able to delimit all objects and react to them correctly.
This ever present subconscious is then the basic constituent of each person's personality and is the objective site where the concept of an IDENTITY actually attaches. IT IS NOT THE IDENTITY ITSELF. It is the CONSCIOUSNESS within which the SEEDS of both IDENTITY FOLLY and NATURAL WISDOM can fall. It is here that these seeds also grow and develop on the basis of EXPERIENCE. The task then of calming discoursive thought and our practices, which show and manifest the true nature of mind using the mind's inate capacity to reflect upon and know itself, is to look at pure and dormant awareness, refuting the delusion of DUALITY. What we want to do, in view of the presence of the subconscious IDENTITIES and the general belief in our EXISTENCE as a separate creature, is replace the DUALIST FOLLY with TRANSCENDENTAL WISDOM, performing a TRANSFORMATION to a BUDDHA MIND (ADARSANA JNANA).
The IDENTITY CONSCIOUSNESS is a product of the THINKING MIND which lays this debilitating DUALISTIC IDENTITY concept upon the ALAYA VIJNANA. Unfortunately the human creature does not accept the IDENTITY as a tool of CONSCIOUSNESS and instead creates "itself" an "I", as an apparently real element which is a complete DELUSION. This process of separating the whole into parts is the source of the IDENTITIES, for he who SEES SEPARATELY must see himself as a SEPARATOR of parts. We say, therefore, that the CONSCIOUSNESS of a USEFUL IDENTITY is conceptually different from that provided by the AFFLICTED THINKING MIND. What this AFFLICTED MIND does, is create the continual presence of the concept of IDENTITY which has DEMANDS, which is quite different from the neutrality of the correct neutral IDENTITY PERSONIFICATION.
Do you see this important difference? In other words the impression which is a useful ILLUSION is posited as a real thing by the tainted MIND and thus becomes DELUSION.
This DELUSION then creates the fabric of the idea of the importance of the human creature and separates him immediately from all other apparent things in his environment. This creates ATTACHMENT (ATMA DRSTI), IGNORANCE about the "I" (ATMA MOHA), PRIDE in that IDENTITY (ATMA MANA), OPINIONS (ATMA SNEHA) based upon the IDENTITY and its DEMANDS, and SELF ADULATION. There then arises all sorts of unfortunate secondary afflictions such as the DISTRACTION OF SELF PRESENCE (VIKSEPA), FIXATION upon oneself, LACK OF CONFIDENCE, LAZINESS, and DULLNESS. This is the portrait of the pitiful human creature who has created himself by divorcing himslf from all thgings.
THE RELATION BETWEEN THE EIGHT BASIC CONSCIOUSNESSES
1. SENSE CONSCIOUSNESSES 2. THINKING MIND CONSCIOUSNESS
(Five in number)
(THE SCREEN OF CONSCIOUSNESS)
3. AFFLICTED THINKING MIND
GIVES RISE TO ATTITUDES OF
LIKING, DISLIKING INDIFFERENCE
THE AFFLICTED SEED OF IDENTITY ATTACHEMENT
DEMAND FOR SATISFACTION
4. SUBCONSCIOUS MIND
UNCONSCIOUS DORMANT AWARENESS
RESULTS IN RESIDUAL IMPRESSIONS WHICH MATURE AND RIPEN
Within the SUBCONSCIOS MIND there is an inherently pure and dormant awareness, but this awareness is obscured when the AFFLICTED THINKING MIND creates the ILLUSION of SELFHOOD and obscures its own nature through the creation of the DELUSION of real existence of itself as a separate entity. The primary task then is tp replace the ripened residual impressions of IGNORANCE, revealing the true soil of awareness which is naturally ready for the SEEDS OF TRANSCENDENTAL WISDOM.
Where does the TRUE CONSCIOUSNESS fit into this model? It is the unknowable undefinable process which makes all the various CONSCIOUSNESSES possible.
You can then see that it is the mistaken idea of IDENTITY which is responsible for the arising of SUFFERING. Naturally, with the presence of multiple IDENTITIES which were developed through evolution, man further complicated his natural psychological state.
Note that we previously said that without IDENTITY the human creature would be EQUANIMOUS, UPEKSA, but clearly, without SUFFERING or HAPPINESS. While everyone will agree that the loss of the SUFFERING is a benefit, most would declare strongly that they would not like to lose the HAPPINESS. There exists here in the human mind a misconception about this, for actually there is no SUFFERING. There is only FALSE SUFFERING and the antithesis of FALSE SUFFERING is FALSE HAPPINESS. It is clearly in the interest of the human creature to eliminate the FALSE SUFFERING and FALSE HAPPINESS, is it not?
What about this TRUE HAPPINESS then which is available; does it have an antithesis TRUE SUFFERING? No it does not, for TRUE HAPPINESS is really TRUE AWARENESS OF APARENT POSITIVE BEING and the antithesis is TRUE AWARENESS OF INAPPROPRIATE BEING, or UNAWARENESS OF APPARENT POSITIVE BEING. We do not then have to lose the availability of the magnificent experiences which transcend what we call HAPPINESS, namely: basic WELL BEING, GLADNESS, COMPASSION, and BENEVOLENT LOVE, augmented by the DELIGHT which comes from ever present EQUANIMITY. All these signal BALANCE and HARMONY. Furthermore we have available all these experiences which, without the presence of IDENTITY, are not CRAVED and CLUNG to.
What then are the conceptual partners of these factors? They are an UNDEFINABLE UNEASINESS in which one senses the absence of GLADNESS, COMPASSION, BENEVOLENT LOVE and DELIGHT accompanied by experiences of UNFEELINGNESS, EMPTINESS, SOLITUDE, and DESOLATION which are completely undefinable. It is undifferentiated SUFFERING, the absence of the greatest human qualities which signal the incorrectness of unnatural human behaviour.
Man's SUFFERING then has many dimensions and it is very useful to be able to detect this SUFFERING in its many forms in order to perceive the terrible tragic situation which each person creates through this mistaken concept of his own real existence. Now why do we need to examine SUFFERING? Isn't it enough to simply practice Meditation and "clear out the mind"? Perhaps. For Buddha was clearly correct when he declared that a man wounded by an arrow is best served by the rapid removal of the arrow, and does not need to know at the onset, who fired the arrow, why he was selected as a target, where the shot came from, or what type of bow it was. On the other hand, there are many people who don't even recognize the fact that they have been wounded by the poisened arrows of MARA.
A study of SUFFERING will not only show that SUFFERING is more common than is thought, but individual readers will be able to see that they have indeed been severely wounded. The arrows of Mara are not so easy to detect, for the poisoned tips contain a drug which creates apparent HAPPINESS. In fact, most people have persuaded themselves that this apparent HAPPINESS is marvelous. When they weigh the SUFFERING which they perceive against the false HAPPINESS and see how difficult the cure appears to be they declare, "Ah, it's marvelous, but it's difficult. I would have to give up so much and it takes so much time and energy. What they are really saying is, "It isn't worth giving up my HAPPINESS."
In this commentary we provide a penetrating overview of SUFFERING and the FALSE HAPPINESS which people cling to, and the potentially marvelous life that is there waiting for each person who has the courage to reach out and grasp it.
Let us then examine the three forms of SUFFERING created, in order to show the complications of this tangle and the way to untie this complex knot created by DUALITY.
COMMON SUFFERING and MENTAL STRESS
The first form of SUFFERING is evident. We call it COMMON SUFFERING. When you are ANXIOUS or WORRY about something, that is SUFFERING. When you feel GUILTY, that is SUFFERING. Indeed SUFFERING has thousands of facets. The sad thing is that this suffering surrounds us every day. It is always avoidable. Its base is IGNORANCE.
Actually SUFFERING is so common a phenomenon that most of the time people are unaware of its existence unless it is quite extreme. Look at the hundreds of times each day when a slight unpleasant feeling emerges at work or in your everyday life. When you misplace something and become angry, that is SUFFERING. Do you want something that you cannot obtain? That is SUFFERING. Do you feel disappointed when your expectations are not met? That is SUFFERING. This SUFFERING is a direct result of that great enemy of the human creature: UNNATURAL MENTAL STRESS. Why do we bother to call this MENTAL STRESS unnatural, if its unnaturalness appears to be obvious?
We do so because there is, in fact, a NATURAL STRESS. This phenomenon arises when anything at all NEW happens to the system. Whenever something unexpected or new occurs, the human system responds in a very sensible way. It immediately tries to deduce or find out if this novel situation is going to be a threat to its TRUE COMFORT, SECURITY, or its BELONGING.
This is because the physiological system has to be ready to respond to any possible threat which may be found to exist, so the body can prepare for ACTION. The human system must constantly be in a state of relaxed physical and mental readiness to respond. All sorts of internal operations are constantly taking place in the natural system and the mind is constantly prepared to alert the SENSE DOOR CONSCIOUSNESS. You will remember that this is MANISIKARA, turning towards threat and yoking higher states; ADHIMOKKHA, selecting the particular threatening problem; and EKAGGHATA, concentrating upon the threat and alerting and yoking the Mind Door of Perception. This is to find out if the THREAT is real or not.
What the system feels when this is going on is a NATURAL STRESS, which we call EUSTRESS, and NATURAL MUSCULAR TENSION, a physiological preparedness for ACTION. We call this STRESS and TENSION a NATURAL state of EXCITATION. In other words there is an EXCITEMENT of the whole system. If the threat is seen to be REAL, then the body automatically takes specific programmed ACTIONS. It is the MIND and the INHERITED PERSONALITY of the person under potential threat which dictates the nature of these responses.
The more extreme the THREAT, the more extreme the ACTIONS, and naturally, the more extreme the EXPERIENCES which accompany these ACTIONS. A person walking towards you with a scowl on his face is likely to be received in a different manner than one running towards you, foaming at the mouth, while brandishing an axe.
If the MIND functions correctly in a NATURAL way, with WISDOM, then both ACTIONS and the STRESS and TENSION will be perfectly NATURAL and CORRECT, for it is clearly in the best interest of each person to be prepared for any eventuality. If the person is WISE, then CORRECT ATTITUDES will engender CORRECT INTENTIONS. These CORRECT INTENTIONS will, in turn, result in CORRECT ACTIONS. The human system, when it is working correctly, is a marvellous thing to behold.
If the MIND, however, due to faulty ATTITUDES and faulty PERCEPTIONS, does not work correctly, then the INCORRECT ATTITUDES of the MIND will set in place UNNATURAL DEMANDS which are not in the best interest of the human system. It is the URGENCY for satiation of these DEMANDS that sets UNNATURAL STRESS in motion.
Instead, therefore, of trying to deduce or find out if this novel situation is going to be a threat to its true COMFORT, SECURITY, or its BELONGING, the system goes into a RED ALERT even when no real threat exists. The system then sets up STRESS and TENSION, the preparedness for ACTION, to defend its UNNATURAL DEMANDS.
For example, if you are operating in a healthy manner, and a person who you have never seen before arrives at a party, there will be an immediate and automatic EXCITATION. Your experience may be of displeasure or pleasure, depending on the threat which may appear to exist. It is important to remember that the basic EXCITATION, measured physiologically, would be exactly the same. It is the state of the MIND which identifies the apparent experience and creates apparent EXPERIENCES within CONSCIOUS AWARENESS which appear different. Experiences of LOVE and HATE, for example, are physiologically identical. It is the MIND which decides which it is to experienced within CONSCIOUS AWARENESS. They feel different, but they are not.
In the above situation, if your CORRECT PERCEPTIONS had told you that the person was a threat, then your responses may have been as mild as a casual turning away, watchfulness, or a disdainful look. If, on the other hand, the threat had been correctly seen by perception not to be real, then there may have been an open-hearted welcoming, a gentle smile of approval, or an expressive embrace. If the former had occurred, the experiences would have been perceived as displeasure in one form or another, if the latter, then pleasure in one of its various forms.
The natural and correct system has the capacity to perceive correctly, but it is possible, in the example mentioned, that you may have completely misjudged the situation. In fact, your DEMANDS in that party environment, a novel situation, may have created an URGENCY of responses, an UNNATURAL CONDITION. The system, based upon DEMANDS for a specific outcome and distorted EXPECTATIONS about possible outcomes, could just as easily have produced irrational actions in response to the situation. The DEMANDS would also have initiated a specific MENTAL STATE and there would have been therefore UNNATURAL STRESS.
It would have been your ATTITUDES which were responsible for setting the TYPE, LEVEL, and PATTERN of behaviour to be followed, and if the DEMANDS had dominated, then it would have been DELUSION, GREED, and HOSTILITY which would have determined whether a threat existed or not.
THE EVOLUTION OF AN UNNATURAL DEMAND
NATURAL DRIVE
UNNATURAL DEMAND
RAW EXPERIENCE EXPECTATION INCORRECT ATTITUDE
INCORRECT BEHAVIOUR
UNNATURAL CONDITIONS
UNNATURAL MUSCULAR TENSION
UNNATURAL STRESS
UNNATURAL MENTAL STATE OUTCOME
COMMON SUFFERING
Conscious or unconscious
You can see from the diagram that these DEMANDS and the EXPECTATIONS which arise from them create the UNNATURAL CONDITIONS which result in UNNATURAL STRESS, UNNATURAL MUSCULAR TENSIONS, UNNATURAL MENTAL STATES, and the UNNATURAL EXPERIENCES which we call COMMON SUFFERING.
It is clear that there is very seldom a real threat to the human creature, so most of the time, for a healthy human creature, there would be a quiet calmness without any mental agitation. Remember that it is equally inappropriate if there is UNNATURAL STRESS, even if the consequences of finding that there is no threat is a flush of APPARENT PLEASURE due to the release from STRESS.
Remember that if you hold INCORRECT ATTITUDES impregnated with non relevant past memories of sensations, emotions, and conscious thoughts, then every response may be inappropriate. Not only then do INCORRECT ATTITUDES result in INCORRECT ACTION, but also in UNNATURAL STRESS.
Do you see that the difference between UNNATURAL STRESS and NATURAL STRESS rests in the presence of these internal forces, which we called DEMANDS for SATIATION? It is the strength and the prolongation of the DEMAND or DEMANDS which are alien to natural function, and it is the resulting EXPECTATIONS which act as a driving force to increase the PRESSURE to encounter a solution. This, in turn, elevates the levels of the UNNATURAL STRESS and TENSION.
Below the level of CONSCIOUS AWARENESS, what the system does in the INCORRECT condition is define and interpret the STATE of the MIND on the basis of the nature of the initiated DEMAND, and, on the basis of INCORRECT ATTITUDES stored in memory, forms EXPECTATIONS. We can say then that the the UNNATURAL DEMANDS together with EXPECTATIONS form UNNATURAL MENTAL STATES.
How does this relate to SUFFERING? The reply is evident. The often debilitating EXPERIENCES of COMMON SUFFERING are direct MIND STATE interpretations of signals of the UNNATURAL DEMANDS, signals of the aroused EXPECTATIONS, and interpretations of the signals of STRESS, based on the nature of the DEMAND and EXPECTATIONS on the one hand, and the relationship between EXPECTATIONS and the real OUTCOME on the other.
THE EVOLUTION OF A NATURAL RESPONSE
NATURAL DRIVE
PREDICTION of CORRECT ATTITUDE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES
CORRECT BEHAVIOUR
NATURAL MUSCULAR TENSION
NATURAL STRESS OUTCOME
It all seems incredibly complicated, doesn't it, but if you use the diagrams as a guide you will grasp the principal ideas behand all these words and explanations. That is the important thing. Don't make the mistake of forcing your mind to remember anything. Remember that your Identities control CONSCIOUS INTELLECT, so read with MINDFULNESS in a relaxed way and all will eventually fall into place. Look at the following simplified version of the evolution of an unnatural DEMAND.
There are three of these UNNATURAL DEMANDS and they are:
The DEMAND for VISCERAL SATISFACTION
The DEMAND for EGO SATISFACTION
The DEMAND for DOMINATION
THE CYCLE LEADING TO THE UNNATURAL MENTAL STATE
UNNATURAL DEMAND
ANTICIPATION OF PLEASURE
UNNATURAL CONDITION
STRESS INTERPRETATION
UNNATURAL MENTAL STATE
COMMON SUFFERING
If we now examine this structure which we created we find that we have three major components THE UNNATURAL DEMAND, THE ANTICIPATION OF PLEASURE, and THE UNNATURAL MENTAL STATE. In Buddhism we use the following terms respectively when we speak about the way in which these processes are experienced. Those terms are CRAVING, EXPECTATION, and the COMMON EXPERIENCES OF SUFFERING. Remember that all EXPERIENCES related to the DEMANDS and the EXPECTAIONS are also SUFFERING.
THE COORELATED MIND EXPERIENCES OF SUFFERING
CRAVING
RAW EXPERIENCE EXPECTATION
MENTAL STRESS INTERPRETATION
COMMON EXPERIENCE OF SUFFERING
When these experiences are chained together, namely; the CRAVING, the EXPECTATION, and the COMMON EXPERIENCES OF SUFFERING we find that they are the IDENTITY RELATED EXPERIENCES which are logical equivalents of the NATURAL EXPERIENCES of GLADNESS, COMPASSION, and BENEVOLENT LOVE. Now although it may appear absurd, CRAVING is related to FALSE GLADNESS, EXPECTATION to FALSE COMPASSION, and the COMMON EXPERIENCES OF SUFFERING to FALSE LOVE.
How is this possible? Because on the instant of the arising of a novel DEMAND the first experience is that of a DRIVE towards the attainment of PLEASURE which has PLEASURABLE ANTICIPATION attached to it. The eventual goal is PLEASURE, which is actually the PLEASURE OF ATTACHEMENT.
The real base of this chain is, however, CRAVING which is interpreted as POSITIVE by the IDENTITY which is DEMANDING satiation. The EXPECTATION too is interpreted as a POSITIVE event for the IDENTITY, and is experienced as PLEASURABLE ANTICIPATION. We have said that if the outcome of the CRAVING DEMAND and EXPECTATION are positive then there is the PLEASURE OF ATTACHMENT, which is actually to the state of SATIATION.
If the OUTCOME, however, does not coincide with the IDENTITY EXPECTATIONS then eventually that CRAVING and the EXPECTATION are experienced as COMMON SUFFERING. Can you see that even if the OUTCOME coincides with the IDENTITY EXPECTATIONS, although the experiences are pleasurable, it is also actually SUFFERING? We call that series of SUFFERING which satisfies the IDENTITY by the name of QUIESCENT SUFFERING.
Let us then look at another facet of this pleasurable suffering. Although for the IDENITIES there may be a POSITIVE OUTCOME, the CONSEQUENCE, another step in the chain takes place. It is the debilitating experience of CLINGING. This too is SUFFERING.
We then have two chains of SUFFERING. The first is CRAVING, EXPECTATION, and COMMON SUFFERING. The second is DRIVING PLEASURE, PLEASURABLE ANTICIPATION, PLEASURE OF ATTACHEMENT and CLINGING.
THE IDENTITY COORELATED CHAINS OF SUFFERING
CRAVING DRIVING PLEASURE
Identity Drive
AGITATED EXPECTATION PLEASURABLE ANTICIPATION
OUTCOME NEGATIVE OUTCOME POSITIVE
INCREASED CRAVING PLEASUREABLE ATTACHMENT
CLINGING
Now UNNATURAL STRESS and SUFFERING, which is the interpretation of CRAVING, EXPECTATIONS, and COMMON SUFFERING are often experienced together. This STRESS and SUFFERING are perceived in error to be the cause of the MENTAL STATES. This error occurs because STRESS, the awareness of MENTAL STATES, and the resulting COMMON SUFFERING occur so contiguous in time that they cannot be perceptually separated. When the CONSCIOUS INTELLECT tries to make logical sense out of the situation in the absence of conscious information about the existence of UNNATURAL DEMANDS, it makes an elementry and logical mistake.
That makes it all very convenient, for we can point to the AFFLICTED MIND and say that the AFFLICTED MIND is causing the CRAVING (SUFFERING), EXPECTATION (SUFFERING), COMMON MENTAL SUFFERING, and also the DRIVING PLEASURE (SUFFERING), PLEASURABLE ANTICIPATION (SUFFERING), THE PLEASURE OF ATTACHMENT (SUFFERING) and CLINGING (SUFFERING). Actually the truth is clear. Each is itself an experience of SUFFERING, which forms a cycle of SUFFERING.
THE CYCLE OF THE UNPLEASURABLE EXPERIENCES OF SUFFERING
UNNATURAL DEMAND INCORRECT ATTITUDE
CRAVING
IDENTITY EXPECTATION INCORRECT INTENTION
UNNATURAL CONDITIONS
UNNATURAL STRESS INCORRECT BEHAVIOUR
NEGATIVE OUTCOME
UNNATURAL MENTAL STATE
COMMON SUFFERING
INCREMENTS THE STRENGTH OF THE DEMAND
THE CYCLE OF THE PLEASURABLE EXPERIENCES OF SUFFERING
UNNATURAL DEMAND INCORRECT ATTITUDE
DRIVING PLEASURE
PLEASURABLE ANTICIPATION INCORRECT INTENTION
UNNATURAL CONDITIONS
UNNATURAL STRESS INCORRECT BEHAVIOUR
POSITIVE OUTCOME
UNNATURAL MENTAL STATE
PLEASURE OF ATTACHMENT
CLINGING INCORRECT BEHAVIOUR
ACTIVE CLINGING
Notice in both the previous diagrams that DRIVING PLEASURE or CRAVING forms the INCORRECT ATTITUDES, that EXPECTATIONS and PLEASURABLE EXPECTATIONS form INCORRECT ATTITUDES, and that only PLEASURABLE ATTACHEMENT and the resultant CLINGING result in INCORRECT ACTIONS.
In the following diagram, althogh it is difficult to determine because of the cyclic nature of both the UNNATURAL nd NATURAL conditions, you will see that the EXPERIENCES of GLADNESS, COMPASSION, and BENEVOLENT LOVE are CONFIRMING CONSEQUENCES of CORRECT ATTITUDES, CORRECT INTENTIONS, and CORRECT ACTIONS. This means that in the natural state, the human creature promotes ATTITUDES, INTENTIONS, and ACTIONS in CONSCIOUS AWARENESS and then attains related experiences, while in the unnatural state it is the importance of IDENTITY EXPERIENCES which dictate ATTITUDES, INTENTIONS, and ACTIONS which lead to ATTACHEMENT.
In the former natural state it is the natural WISDOM which directs the human creature while in the latter it is the IGNORANCE of the IDENTITIES.
THE POSITIVE CYCLE OF THE NATURAL CONFIRMING EXPERIENCES
CORRECT ATTITUDE GLADNESS
CORRECT INTENTION COMPASSION
NATURAL CONDITIONS
NATURAL STRESS
CORRECT BEHAVIOUR BENEVOLENT LOVE
NEGATIVE OR POSITIVE OUTCOME
NATURAL MENTAL STATE EQUANIMITY DELIGHT
THE RAW EXPERIENCE
Look at diagrams which show the model of THE CORRELATED MIND EXPERIENCES OF SUFFERING and you will find a most important element which we have not discussed. It is the RAW EXPERIENCE. Actually this RAW EXPERIENCE is in itself a neutral event. It is the MIND once more that either interprets the state CORRECTLY without the presence of AFFICTION or INCORRECTLY if the mind is AFFLICTED.
That RAW EXPERIENCE signals either EQUILIBRIUM, which promotes a state of tranquil neutrality, or DISEQUILIBRIUM, which dictates either an avoidance or approach response. In a healthy individual the state of EQUILIBRIUM results in an experience of WELL BEING, and in the case of a state of DIS EQUILIBRIUM an experience of CONFLICT and UNEASINESS which is a NATURAL MOTIVATING FORCE, a driving force to restore EQUILIBRIUM.
In a person afflicted by IDENTITY DEMANDS the state of EQUILIBRIUM results in the IDENTITY PLEASURE of ATTACHMENT with its attached CLINGING, while DISEQUILIBRIUM results in a generalized experience of IDENTITY DISTRESS which is an unnatural motivational state which promotes activity to satisfy the IDENTITIES.
Think of that RAW EXPERIENCE as a glass of water which can change its colour. it turns blue when all is in equilibruium and red when there is disequilibrium. In the healthy individual there is a correct experiencing of REDNESS and BLUENESS. If the IDENTITIES get in on the act it is a condition in which a glass rod (IDENTITIES) stirs the water in the glass to a state of complete agitation. The BLUENESS and REDNESS remain the same, but there is no longer a correct perception of that BLUENESS or REDNESS. All that is experienced is the AGITION. Remember this analogy, for it will be very important later.
ALTERNATIVE CYCLES OF RAW EXPERIENCE INTERPRETATIONS
NATURAL SYSTEM UNNATURAL DEMAND SYSTEM
RAW EXPERIENCE
EQUILIBRIUM DISEQUILIBRIUM EQUILIBRIUM DISEQUILIBRIUM
WELL BEING CONFLICT PLEASURE DISTRESS
UNEASINESS (ATTACHMENT)
CORRECT ATTITUDES DRIVE
CORRECT INTENTIONS ANTICIPATION
CORRECT ACTIONS ATTACHMENT
CONFIRMING BUDDHA NATURE
GLADNESS CRAVING
COMPASSION EXPECTATION
BENEVOLENT LOVE COMMON SUFFERING
EQUANIMITY CLINGING
DELIGHT
INCORRECT ATTITUDES
INCORRECT INTENTIONS
INCORRECT ACTIONS
REINFORCES IDENTITY DEMANDS
In all waking conditions the human creature is in a state of EQUILIBRIUM or DISEQUILIBRIUM which has the RAW EXPERIENCE projected to the SCREEN OF CONSCIOUSNESS, the character of which depends upon the presence of a NATURAL STATE or an IDENTITY AFFLICTED STATE.
Remember that THE IDENTITY DEMAND which is experienced as CRAVING creates the conditions which promote DRIVING PLEASURE; THE IDENTITY EXPECTATION promotes PLEASURABLE ANTICIPATION; and the IDENTITY dominated MENTAL STATES which promote MENTAL SUFFERING provide the PLEASURE OF ATTACHMENT and CLINGING.
When CORRECT ATTITUDES, CORRECT INTENTIONS, and CORRECT ACTIONS are activated in response to the MOTIVATION induced by DISEQUILIBRIUM then WELL BEING is experienced. Remember also that the experienced states of WELL BEING and CONFLICT UNEASINESS are the CONSEQUENCES of EQUILIBRIUM and DISEQUILIBRIUM, while GLADNESS, COMPASSION, and BENEVOLENT LOVE are the CONSEQUENCES of CORRECT ATTITUDES, CORRECT INTENTIONS, and CORRECT ACTIONS
These concepts may be confusing if you are not used to looking into intricate details, but read everything very slowly and carefully. It is important to really understand that STRESS and SUFFERING issue from the UNNATURAL DEMANDS of the SYSTEM. If you understand this, then you will see that if the DEMANDS are set aside and are allowed to fall away, there will be a release from UNNATURAL MENTAL STATES, COMMON SUFFERING and all UNNATURAL STRESS.
Now, getting rid of these DEMANDS is not an easy task at all, but fortunately the models draw attention to a very interesting point. Do you see the central role which EXPECTATIONS play in the development of SUFFERING? First, they combine, once formed, with the DEMANDS which generated them. This augments the UNNATURAL CONDITIONS of SUFFERING. Second, EXPECTATIONS are contrasted with the real OUTCOME, and if this does not coincidende then this directly augments SUFFERING. Eliminate EXPECTATIONS and you considerably reduce SUFFERING. This is a task which is far less complicated than eliminating DEMANDS, but at first sight it would appear that eliminating EXPECTATIONS would not be in the best interest of the human creature. That is not the case, for EXPECTATIONS are really forcasts which have an IDENTITY ATTACHEMENT. A CORRECT and NATURAL system does not create EXPECTATIONS. It makes a variety of PREDICTIONS about POSSIBLE OUTCOMES. It has no IDENTITY investment at all in these predictions, so that whatever occurs is accepted as perfectly natural.
The corrupted system of the DEMANDS, on the other hand, creates these EXPECTATIONS which have "energy investments" in one or more expected consequence which completely satisfy the DEMAND. Anything less than satisfaction for the corrupted system results in additional STRESS and SUFFERING.
We have seen that when the MIND receives messages of UNNATURAL STRESS and senses the existence of a certain DEMAND or simultaneous DEMANDS, then it tries to make sense out of the situation. It consequently establishes specific MENTAL STATES which are the bases for interpretations. As a result of these interpretations, specific ATTITUDES give way to INTENTIONS and ACTIONS which are appropriate for the MIND STATES.
THE EVOLUTION OF FEAR, PANIC, AND RAGE
These MIND STATES can be placed in three groups, based upon their prehistoric conditions and roots. The original human condition was the PRIMITIVE MIND STATE of AVERSION. This emerged from the primitive root response of FLEEING from danger. The second was the PRIMITIVE MIND STATE of INERTIA. This INERTIA also had its primitive counterpart, which was the root response of FREEZING in order to be undetected by an aggressor. The third, the PRIMITIVE MIND STATE of AGGRESSION, grew out of the PRIMITIVE reflexive root response of FIGHTING for survival. Each of these reflexive ACTIONS was an effective and natural response to the dire threats which faced primitive creatures.
The evolved MENTAL STATES which reign over us today seem quite different from those primitive responses which existed when the brain of man and his knowledge were quite undeveloped. As the human creature gradually developed as a sophisticated creature, both his responses and his PRIMITIVE MIND STATES developed. He became aware of the existence of alternatives and therefore, evolved opposing MIND STATES. The PRIMITIVE MIND STATE of AVERSION was opposed by ATTRACTION, while INERTIA was opposed by MOVEMENT, and AGGRESSION by ACCEPTANCE.
PREHISTORIC EVOLUTION
PRIMATIVE ROOTS FLEEING FREEZING FIGHTING
PRIMITIVE
MOTIVATIONAL
EXPERIENCES FEAR PANIC RAGE
PRIMITIVE AVERSION INERTIA AGGRESSION
ALTERNATIVE ATTRACTION MOVEMENT ACCEPTANCE STATES
ORIGINAL FOOD AND SHELTER AND RELATIONSHIPS
NEED WARMTH SECURITY
EVOLVED MENTAL ID RELATED EGO RELATED SUPER EGO STATES RELATED
We have an important clue here to the reason why the IDENTITIES developed. With increasing intelligence and the ability to give labels to apparantly separate objects, man perceived that his own ACTIONS gave RESULTS which were either more stressful or less stressful. The concept that "I am the DOER" was born, and the "I" was connected automatically to an increase in pleasure, and indeed a thirst and thrust to attain that pleasure and, if achieved, a desire to maintain that state of pleasure. These latter two conditions are known as CRAVING and CLINGING in Buddhist psychology.
The EXPERIENCES which accompanied the response roots to violent threats in pre-historic times, FEAR, PANIC, and RAGE respectively, when felt in all their intensity, were probably as equally memorable and as decidedly offensive as they are when they are experienced today, whenever there is a real threat to existence. Fortunately, we do not actually endure them frequently in our lives because we are seldom faced with threats of great magnitude which jeopardise our existence.
They can be experienced, however, under less extreme circumstances of UNNATURAL STRESS when there appears to be CONFLICT between the EXTREME PRESSURE to obtain satiation of a DEMAND and the perceived apparent IMPOSSIBILITY of satiation.
This occurs because the human creature is never released from his DEMANDS, and so prolonged CONFLICT causes a virtually explosive stress which is diverted into an extreme, more primitive response to the situation.
The responses are psychologically almost identical in concept, but are most generally experienced in a modified form as FEAR of NON SATISFACTION, PANIC in the face of FAILURE, and RAGE in the face of POWERLESSNESS. These modern experiences of SUFFERING are attached to UNNATURAL STRESS, however, not to NATURAL STRESS, as they were primitively.
Each of these original and primitive experiences, FEAR, PANIC, and RAGE, have also left indelible imprints, which reflect their character on the less intense EXPERIENCES of SUFFERING which today accompany the complex MENTAL STATES which have evolved in the human creature.
Remember that the actual nature of the experiences depends upon the various evolved MENTAL STATES which now exist, and upon the nature of both the EXPECTATIONS and OUTCOMES with respect to the DEMANDS. Because of the high number of combinations, interpretations of the UNNATURAL STRESS in the form of SUFFERING are quite varied. Experiences can therefore also be divided into three groups, each having evolved from its single corresponding primitive experience.
SUFFERING and the responses which are thought will bring satiation of the DEMAND have as their apparent root cause the three DEMANDS which have been discussed and their corresponding IDENTITIES. Each of these three DEMANDS can appear at different times or can simultaneously occur, causing all sorts of very complex interactions, subconscious CONFLICTS, SUFFERING and STRESS.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE IDENTITIES AND THE DEMANDS
PRIMITIVE AVERSION INERTIA AGGRESSION
ALTERNATIVE ATTRACTION MOVEMENT ACCEPTANCE STATES
EVOLVED MENTAL ID RELATED EGO RELATED SUPER EGO STATES RELATED
THE DEMAND VISCERAL EGO SUPER EGO SATISFACTION SATISFACTION DOMINATION
Let's then look individually at the SUFFERING brought about by laying the STAINED SEEDS of IGNORANCE within the unconscious for each subliminal IDENTITY, for it is the existence of the different IDENTITY objectives which create the different DEMANDS FOR SATISFACTION.
How did these IDENTITY DEMANDS get into the system in the first place? The answer is rooted in the natural system, for there exists a process which psychologists call the PREFERENCE FOR A LEVEL OF ACTIVITY. There exists within each person, in a wakened state, when not either sleeping or at rest, a certain disposition to prefer external stimulation within certain ranges. When stimulation rises above that level, then the system experiences CONFUSION and promotes behaviour which will reduce the level of activity, a homeostatic device to reduce the new stimulation. When the stimulation falls below a prefered level then the system experiences UNREST and promotes behaviour which increases activity in search of greater stimulation.
If we look at a line which represents low and high stimulation, we find that there are some people who's range falls in the low part of the line, many who fall in the centre, and a few who's natural preference falls at the high extreme. It will come as no surprise for those who are alert to discover that those with a SENSITIVE DISPOSITION have a range of preference at the low extreme and that those with a DISPOSITION for NATURAL INTELLIGENCE have their preference at the high extreme.
The biological advantages are clear. Those with a preference for low stimulation are motivated to seek true COMFORT. while those with a preference for high stimulation will seek the COMPLEXITY which reqires NATURAL INTELLIGENCE for its reduction, and promotes a bent for problem solving which advances the species.
Persons with a DISCRIMINATING DISPOSITION have their range of preference in the centre. They require the TRUE SECURITY from EXTREMES. These were all clearly useful survival factors when man was evolving, particularly when man was united in bands or small tribes.
RANGES OF PREFERENCE FOR A LEVEL OF ACTIVITY
SENSITIVE DISPOSITION INTELLIGENT DISPOSITION
\/ \/ \/ \/ -------------------------------------------------------------
LOW HIGH /\ /\
DISCRIMINATING DISPOSITION
Unfortunately, this TRUE COMFORT seeking, TRUE SECURITY seeking, and the TRUE BELONGING of those who seek UNITY within COMPLEXITY is, in the afflicted human creature transformed into the CRAVING for FALSE COMFORT, FALSE SECURITY, and FALSE BELONGING.
You will also note that the ranges of tolerence for both the sensitive and naturally intelligent persons are much narrower than those of the discriminating persons and this reflects the tribal necessity in terms of variability of composing members. All was correct and natural, before man's Eden was shattered by the evolution of the afflicting IDENTITIES.
It was, however, the basic nature of these ranges which provide the foundation for the apparent nature of the evolved IDENTITIES. In a normal day to day situation, in this world constructed and created by the discriminating aquisitive persnality, the environmental stimulation is far above the prefered limits for the sensitive personality. For this type of person there then is great prevalent CONFUSION and AVERSION.
For the intelligent personality driven by great curiosity, and the pleasure of great stimulation, there will be great AGGRESIVITY and therefore HOSTILITY against the prevailing system and against those who create the system which is alien to him.
The IDENTITY of the DISCRIMINATING personality, being the norm, converted his easily obtainable pleasure into the debilitating CRAVING for the PLEASURE of ATTACHMENT, which is the base of the destructive world which we see about us. His reactions were completely ADAPTABLE to the great range of options possible and this personality had available the options of INERTIA or MOVEMENT in response to each situation.
Each reflects the primitive roots and motivation of FLEEING and FEAR, FREEZING and PANIC, or FIGHTING and RAGE when their respective DEMAND conditions are not fulfilled.
"I, the doer", of the extremes, the CONFUSED and HOSTILE personalities, formed their defenses against the CONFUSION and AVERSION. In the case of the SENSITIVE personality, whose SENSITIVITY was buried midst a constant assault of overstimulation, the evident consequence was a RETREAT into the isolation of COMFORT and the avoidance of CONFUSION, while the NATURALLY INTELLIGENT person was separated from the world by his own AGGRESSION and HOSTILITY.
The GREEDY personality develoed a mass of strategies and systems to acguire his satisfaction and became ADAPTIVE to a variey of different environments which could satiate his or her desires.
IDENTITY CONTAMINATION OF PREFERENCE FOR A LEVEL OF ACTIVITY
CONFUSION HOSTILITY
CRAVING FOR COMFORT CRAVING FOR BELONGING
\/ \/ \/ \/ -------------------------------------------------------------
LOW HIGH /\ /\
GREED
CRAVING FOR SECURITY
Do you see how the natural PREFERENCE was transformed into AFFLICTED MOTIVATION. If you do, then let us return for a moment to the ALTERNATIVE CYCLES OF RAW EXPERIENCE INTERPRETATIONS and review the NATURAL SYSTEM with respect to this PREFERENCE FOR A LEVEL OF STIMULATION.
Look at the following diagrams and see how the effect of IDENTITY upon the NATURAL PREFERENCE would result in the corruption of the natural system, which is the essential point in this discussion, for if you can see the evolution of IDENTITY and the DEMANDS as the IGNORANCE of SUFFERING, then you see that liberation can ONLY come when one actually EXPERIENCES the imposition of the DELUSIONS of MIND upon the CORRECT AND NATURAL ILLUSIONS of the system.
It is extremely important to see that this DIRECT EXPERIENCE is neccessary and that the simple COGNITIVE ACT of INTELLECTUAL KNOWING is insufficient. That is why the PRACTICES of CORRECT CONCENTRATION or PENETRATION are imprinscible, and why the consolidation of the "acceptance of the perception of the VOID", the EXPERIENCE of EMPTINESS without the presence of MIND, is absolutely essential.
THE NATURAL SYSTEM
RAW EXPERIENCE
EQUILIBRIUM DISEQUILIBRIUM
WELL BEING CONFLICT
UNEASINESS
CONFLICT
REDUCTION
NATURAL PREFERENCE FOR
A LEVEL OF ACTIVITY
CORRECT ATTITUDES
CORRECT INTENTIONS
CORRECT ACTIONS
CONFIRMING BUDDHA NATURE
GLADNESS
COMPASSION
BENEVOLENT LOVE
EQUANIMITY
DELIGHT
THE IDENTITY AFFLICTED DEMAND SYSTEM
RAW EXPERIENCE
EQUILIBRIUM DISEQUILIBRIUM
PLEASURE DISTRESS
(ATTACHMENT)
DISTRESS
REDUCTION
IDENTITY DEMAND
FOR SATISFACTION
DRIVE
ANTICIPATION
ATTACHMENT
CRAVING
EXPECTATION
COMMON SUFFERING
CLINGING
INCORRECT ATTITUDES
INCORRECT INTENTIONS
INCORRECT ACTIONS
REINFORCES IDENTITY DEMANDS
Perhaps now you have begun to understand that you SUFFER constantly as a result of the presence of an AFFLICTED MIND. This AFFLICTION can be eliminated and NATURAL WISDOM restored. For those who are in doubt, however, about the subliminal presence of SUFFERING even in the apparent face of daily HAPPINESS, which is CLINGING we will now discuss the subtle MANIFESTATIONS of COMMON SUFFERING created by the MIND STATE,
generated by the IDENTITY DEMANDS.
How can you recognize these different demands of the IDENTITIES? You will notice that when we spoke about the ID IDENTITY DEMANDS we spoke of SENSATIONS and VISCERAL EXPERIENCES. This is what you watch for. Try and detect the presence of SENSATIONS and an VISCERAL EXPERIENCE in your lower abdomen.
Similarly the EGO DEMAND for SATIATION has a corresponding EXPERIENCE both physiologically and within CONSCIOUS AWARENESS. Physically the tension is noticable in the chest or throat and can be experienced as EMOTION, while the SUPER EGO DEMAND is intense as a presence in the brain and as a DOMINATING THOUGHT.
DETECTION OF THE DEMANDS BY MINDFULNESS OF EXPERIENCES
EVOLVED MENTAL ID RELATED EGO RELATED SUPER EGO STATES RELATED
THE DEMAND VISCERAL EGO SUPER EGO SATISFACTION SATISFACTION DOMINATION
EXPERIENCE SENSATION EMOTION DOMINATING THOUGHT
PHYSICAL LOWER ABDOMEN CHEST HEAD
EXPERIENCE
These EXPERIENCES occur when there is either CRAVING or CLINGING as a result of IDENTITY activity.
Name each wave of experiences only as SENSATION, EMOTION, or THOUGHT, without allowing conscious thought to grasp hold of the experiences and complicate the matter further. You will thereby avoid the stimulation of the networks of folly which exist in memory waiting for the correct moment to burst into consciousness.
Now don't expect this task to be easy, for there is a complication. Every time that an EGO DEMAND brings a SENSATION, that SENSATION will evoke a corresponding EMOTIONAL response and a COGNITIVE chain of THOUGHTS. Every time that an EGO DEMAND provokes an EMOTION, that EMOTION will be followed by a chain of COGNITIVE THOUGHTS. Every DEMAND, you see is mediated by THOUGHTS.
THE CHAIN OF INTERPRETATION OF AFFLICTED CONSCIOUSNESS
SENSATIONS
EMOTIONS EMOTIONS
THOUGHTS THOUGHTS THOUGHTS
PROVOKE
You must search deep and look for the root cause. Be careful, for the reverse can occur. COGNITIVE THOUGHTS can provoke either SENSATIONS or EMOTIONS.
Perhaps the most prevalent form of COMMON SUFFERING are the EXPERIENCES of CARES and ANXIETIES. We tend not to notice them because they appear to be constantly with us. "Will I catch the train? Why is he looking at me like that? "I dropped the pencil. My hair needs combing. These are all very common experiences, and they are all SUFFERING. The Mantra deals specifically with these unwelcome SENSATIONS and accompanying STRESS in a special Mantra line.
In a separate line it collectively deals with all the more serious debilitating SUFFERING and STRESS which arise from the more provocative SENSATIONS generated by the DEMANDS for VISCERAL SATISFACTION.
You can see then that for effectivity, the Mantra is directed at changing the basic ATTITUDES and INTENTIONS which promote UNNATURAL CONDITIONS, so that FOLLY FILLED EXPECTATIONS cannot arise. If the Mantra is used correctly, with proper preparation, then SUFFERING, STRESS, and the disturbing MENTAL STATES of the VISCERAL DEMANDS can be set aside. Eventually, with constant repetition and practice, the DEMANDS themselves will fall away into dormancy, allowing the nurture of the NATURAL DISPOSITIONS.
SENSATIONS, EMOTIONS, AND PASSIONS
We have used many words to describe various EXPERIENCES of SUFFERING. On inspecting all these and others which you no doubt have experienced, you will wonder about some of them. What is the difference, for example, between the MIND STATES of PUZZLEMENT and BAFFLEMENT? Why is the former an EGO initiated state and the latter a SUPER EGO state?
The experiences of BAFFLEMENT are sharp, like a well honed knife. It evokes PASSIONS which do not look at anything else except that BAFFLEMENT. It is like a cold fire that consumes itself without moving in any direction. Can you see the idea? This is in no way the same as the PUZZLEMENT of the EGO IDENTITY, which, in failure, cannot understand what exactly has gone wrong. When there is PUZZLEMENT, the victim searches about in a word-filled consciousness for reasons, and clear EMOTIONAL experiences are evoked.
n.Let's look at SUPER EGO FRUSTRATION for a moment. It has its EGO DEMAND counterpart in the EMOTION of FUTILITY, which is often felt after the failure to satisfy a DEMAND for EGO SATISFACTION. The difference between the two is the PASSION which is attached to FRUSTRATION. This PASSION has a base which is also cognitive, but its mental states are far removed from those which rule the EMOTIONAL turmoil of FUTILITY, which is quite enmeshed with a mass of associations and a HOPELESSNESS which does not accompany FRUSTRATION.
The key to understanding the subtle differences between the EMOTIONS of EGO SATISFACTION and the MENTAL PASSION of the SUPER EGO lies in discernment of the ice-like PASSION which is completely uncomplicated by chains of thought. This cold piercing PASSION is the hallmark of this DEMAND for DOMINANCE.
If you look at REMORSE, you will see the same thing. PASSIONATE REMORSE is quite different from the EMOTIONAL and wistful REGRETS and the RECRIMINATIONS manufactured by EGO. The EGO IDENTITY beats its breast and cries out its woes. In its sorrow it wants to be noticed: it wants the SECURITY which it has lost by non-satiation of the DEMAND. The SUPER EGO, on the other hand, dwells upon the more general "SHOULD not have happened" idea without dwelling on the reasons. The passionate SUPER EGO laments, but it does so silently.
ENVY too, as a state of SUFFERING under the DEMAND for DOMINANCE, is different from the EMOTIONAL state of COVETOUSNESS which is ruled by the DEMAND for EGO SATIATION. When EGO is involved, there are almost always chains of thought involved, for the EGO structure has an overactive imagination prompted by ideas. The EGO mind in those moments actually searches for ways and means to secure the elusive prize.
The SUPER EGO, on the other hand, when it is in command, is simply envious of the position, influence, and power that others may have or in the way they have obtained their apparent reward. Others have it. They SHOULD not have it. There are no mental gyrations. There is simply injustice at work as far as SUPER EGO is concerned. Do you see the SUPER EGO at work?
We can then separate the experiences related to the DEMAND for EGO SATISFACTION from those of the DEMAND for DOMINATION quite easily. You don't have to worry too much about the meanings of the words. If the experience of SUFFERING is EGO dominated there will be EMOTIONS and chains of thought running through CONSCIOUS AWARENESS like a train completely out of control. If the experience is that connected to a dominating SUPER EGO then there will be a cold COGNITIVE PASSION unconnected to chains of thought.
ID ruled behaviour is easier to recognise. ID, as we have mentioned before, sends out clear VISCERAL signals which we call SENSATIONS. Sometimes SENSATIONS and EMOTIONS may be present at the same time when ID and EGO are working together with mutual DEMANDS. Watch out for them and you will detect the subtle differences.
We can also look at the distinction between VISCERAL DISAPPOINTMENT and COGNITIVE DISILLUSIONMENT. The latter experiences are completely different from the brooding SENSATIONS of DISAPPOINTMENT derived from ID. You can see the difference if you really are mindful, for the former is woeful and you can sense the physiological response of the body to that DISAPPOINTMENT. On the other hand, DISILLUSIONMENT is clear and concise. The MIND, COGNITIVE and PASSIONATE, can define the problem in a single strong statement. The DISILLUSIONED person may say fiercely, "You can't trust anyone", while the ID will be more concerned about its loss.
The DEMANDS we have spoken of are so evident and strong that we have referred to them as if each was ruled by an IDENTITY. Of course, these IDENTITIES do not really exist, but the power of the DEMANDS is such that it appears as if they were living internal forces that actually COMMAND. You will have seen that we call these respectively ID, EGO, and SUPER EGO.
DIFFERENT PATTERHS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXPERIENCES
DEMAND for VISCERAL SATISFACTION
DEMAND for EGO SATISFACTION
DEMAND for DOMINANCE
ID IDENTITY
EGO IDENTITY
SUPER EGO IDENTITY
INCORRECT ATTITUDES
INCORRECT INTENTIONS
INCORRECT ACTIONS
SENSATIONS
EMOTIONS
COGNITIVE PASSIONS
You will see from reviewing these three faces of SUFFERING, that most experiences have a false mantle of insignificance placed upon them, or become well hidden in your subconscious. If it were not for the presence of UNNATURAL STRESS and the resulting TENSIONS, you probably would know nothing about your subliminal SUFFERING at all. Some time in the future, if you were unfortunate, you would be shocked if you found out that this STRESS in the form of SUFFERING had been building up for years, causing cancer, ulcers, heart problems, or other infirmities. You might even, too late, regret your obvious FOLLY.
The greatest tragedy is, however, the fact that you are probably rejecting a full and happy life. The pleasure and happiness that you have is false. Try and understand that. Furthermore, you are trading this full, happy, and natural life for false pleasure and apparent happiness. The human system is absolutely magnificent. It is a biological computer. You are very favoured, for this computer is equipped with a failsafe device. It is a system which looks at everything going on at both cortical and subcortical levels and detects any imbalance and conflict. When there is UNNATURAL STRESS, a small non-vocal signal tells you, "Just a minute, something here is wrong." If you ignore it, then there is nothing more that the system can do for you. If you hear this signal in any form, then you will be sensible if you do something about the problem. You may be too busy, like your pleasures too much, or justify your FOLLY in a million ways. On the other hand, if you wish to do something about it, then the Mantra is available to you, as are other systems which resolve the tangle.
GOVERNING DEMANDS
We have said that each of these DEMANDS is experienced at one time or another by all people. You have seen how complicated they are and you can imagine the complications of their interaction. It is not surprising that human creatures SUFFER and feel the TENSION of STRESS in the absence of the WISDOM which can change all ATTITUDES, INTENTIONS, and ACTIONS. The surprising thing, however, is that most people don't know how much they actually SUFFER. They accept the SUFFERING so much as a part of "living" that it doesn't even seem important to them. Many have immersed themselves so much in an insane consumer society that they don't even recognize that they SUFFER at all. They accept the "PLEASURE" that they experience as compensation for any STRESS which they may feel and believe that this is a price which must be paid, declaring, "that is a part of living." They do not understand at all and do not know that they are cutting themselves off not only from correct living and their own true nature, but from true joy.
That is why it has been so necessary to show the faces of SUFFERING and STRESS. Those who with diligence and an open mind examine what has been presented here, may be able to see what has really been ruling their behaviour. They may then be astute enough to take the steps necessary to liberate themselves, returning both their mind and body to a natural state. Those who do advance upon the correct path, having recognized the SUFFERING and STRESS within themselves, will have taken the first step to LIBERATION. They can approach the Mantra with a receptive attitude, with the certain knowledge that they can discover their true nature and liberate WISDOM.
Those who approach the Mantra without knowing their own SUFFERING will have given themselves a debilitating handicap, for the DEMANDS are exceedingly strong. In fact it is important to realise that you cannot divorce the DEMANDS, nor the personified IDENTITIES, nor the UNNATURAL STRESS and TENSIONS from SUFFERING.
If you can see this, then it should be very clear that COMPASSION, in mantra chanting, cannot be directed only at apparent SUFFERING, but must be offered to all those who are under the constant influence of the DEMANDS and IDENTITIES. COMPASSION cannot be partial, although the ACTIONS taken can depend upon the circumstances. There is no such thing as MORE LOVE or LESS LOVE. BENEVOLENT LOVE is full and complete. You must, therefore, direct your COMPASSION to all people, for it should be clear now that all, including yourself, SUFFER.
THE INHERITED GIFT
It is important that you understand that the complex meld of DEMANDS which exists is dictated by past learning. Since each life is different, each person will have developed a distinctive mixture of DEMANDS. These DEMANDS, we have seen, are debilitating and unnatural. Fortunately, each person has inherited positive DISPOSITIONS to behave in certain ways. Your behaviour, therefore, is a blend of that which you have learned and that which you have inherited. The INCORRECT ATTITUDES which you have learned can be replaced by CORRECT ATTITUDES, and WISDOM can be liberated. We have then NEGATIVE DEMANDS and POSITIVE DISPOSITIONS.
If we look at what you have inherited, we find that in addition to the wonderful mind and body, the marvellous systems of organization, and the magnificent capacity to learn, each person has inherited a beautiful dominance of ONE of three possible DISPOSITIONS to act. These dispositions potentially GOVERN all your behaviour. We mentionedthem earlier.
These are:-
The DISPOSITION for SENSITIVITY
The DISPOSITION for CORRECT DISCRIMINATION
The DISPOSITION for NATURAL INTELLIGENCE
Now where do you imagine these DISPOSITIONS arise, and what do they have as their fruit? The answer is very interestig for they provide an essential link in the important CYCLE OF WISDOM which you have seen before.
THE CYCLE OF WISDOM
CORRECT ATTITUDES
ROOTS CORRECT INTENTIONS
CORRECT ACTIONS
GLADNESS
COMPASSION EXPERIENCE
Mutual Growth BENEVOLENT LOVE
Nurture
WISDOM OF NOBLE JUDGEMENT
WISDOM OF CAUSE AND EFFECT CONSEQUENCE
WISDOM OF ILLUMINATION
THE DISPOSITION for SENSITIVITY
THE DISPOSITION for CORRECT DISCRIMINATION
THE DISPOSITION for NATURAL INTELLIGENCE
Each human creature, without exception, has these dispositions potentially available and the great benefit of a strong dominant in one of these three. These dispositions for behaviour correspond to inherited individual strengths which are correct and wise readinesses to respond to the NATURAL DRIVES. In other words, each person has within himself all the basic traits which will allow the personal growth of either SENSITIVITY, CORRECT DISCRIMINATION, or NATIVE INTELLIGENCE which contrast with unacceptable CONFUSION, GREED, and HOSTILITY.
The presence of these DISPOSITIONS is the good news. The bad news is the fact that the way in which man has evolved has led to a defilement of these DISPOSITIONS due to the presence of the three DEMANDS. The result is that those who have a latent disposition for SENSITIVITY are actually GOVERNED by DELUSION, and show a preponderance of SUFFERING due to the operation of the DEMAND for VISCERAL SATISFACTION. Similarly those with a disposition for latent CORRECT DISCRIMINATION are GOVERNED by GREED, due to the DEMAND for EGO SATISFACTION.
It will come as no surprise to anyone to discover that the disposition for NATURAL INTELLIGENCE is related to the DEMAND for DOMINANCE, and that this person is GOVERNED by HOSTILE REVULSION due to the IDENTITY presence. This NATURAL INTELLIGENCE has nothing whatsoevr to do with the capacity to learn acidemically. The intelligence quotiant which is measured is something altogether different.
The INTELLIGENCE refered to is the basic need to be UNITED with all things. This requires in the healthy human creature an investigative thrust to discover the root causes of things, subliminally the reason for separation. Unfortunately this investigative search further sparates the hostile inividual in most cases and leads to the DOMINATION of all things not the UNIFICATION which is his natural path.
There we have it. There are three character types: DELUDED, GREEDY, and HOSTILE. Is it any wonder that sentient beings SUFFER, and that human creatures are slowly destroying themselves and all life? Remember too that each person's GOVERNING FORCE does not have absolute sway. The two weaker NON-GOVERNING FORCES can reinforce or combat the strongest.
Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, a weaker force will gain temporary strength and it will take precedence. A person with a GOVERNING EGO, for example, may consider making a certain type of response. The SUPER EGO, supported by prevailing conditions, may examine its personal list of acceptable SOCIAL behaviours which is stored in MEMORY, and may decide that it is not valid. INTERNAL CONFLICT will develop and there will be additional STRESS, and TENSION causing further rounds of SUFFERING even after the power struggle has been resolved.
Under the influence of these DEMANDS each person is a victim. Do people really want to accept all this SUFFERING? Are the pleasures that they have really worth the STRESS and CONFLICT? Don't you agree that it is clearly in each person's best interest to possess WISDOM and enjoy the fruits of a strong and CORRECT DISPOSITION, supported by the two other dispositions which would never be in conflict?
If you look at these dispositions with an open mind, perhaps this will be sufficirnt incentive to cast out the idea that "It is not worth the trouble", so that patience and calm can be engendered along with an enthusiastic disciplined approach to libreration.
We have shown that the DELUSION of DUALITY is a principle problem. It should not be a surprise therfore to learn that the DISPOSITIONS available are related to the WHOLE, the UNITY of all thimgs. The person with the potential for NATURAL INTELLIGENCE is not necessarily intelligent in an academic sense, nor need he be a great sage. What he has is more precious, it is the latent attribute to UNDERSTAND profoundly the INTEGRATION of all the apparent parts of the whole, created by the ILLUSION of SEPARATION. He then has the capacity to relate to all apparent things, human and non human in a very special way. It is a wonderful gift that brings great TRUE HAPPINESS.
The person with the latent disposition for DISCRIMINATION of all CAUSE AND EFFECT can develop his gift of the PROFOUND UNDERSTANDING all the RELATIONSHIPS in the sequence of apparent events within the WHOLE. He or she then opens the door to the building of RELATIONSHIPS with people at all levels, because relationships depend upon HAPPENINGS between people, CAUSES and EFFECTS. This is a beautiful and magnificent gift which brings great TRUE HAPPINESS.
The person with the latent disposition for SENSITIVITY
also has a suprb gift. He or she is able to PROFOUNDLY UNDERSTAND the fine details of the WHOLE through the six senses, thus obtaining spiritual sensitivity which is unexcelled. This too brings unexcelled TRUE HAPPINESS.
Are these gifts: NATURAL INTELLIGENCE, DISCRIMINATION, and SENSITIVITY, which are already in your possesion not worth developing? Is it really worthwhile to CLING to and CRAVE the FALSE HAPPINESS which is pure DELUSION?
Naturally it requirs work and dedication, for without an UNDERSTANDING of the VOID and FORM, touching the UNITY of these and all apparent phenomenon, they cannot be fully developed and nurtured.
Imagine for a moment the world peopled with human creatures who live and interact without SUFFERING and without FALSE HAPPINESS. Imagine them in harmony with this apparant world of the senses in perfect balance, with a perfect UNDERSTANDING of the CHAOS, IMPERMANENCE, CONFLICT, NON DUALITY, MEANINGLESSNESS within which we appear to exist, with the capacity to mould perfect INTEGRATION, RELATIONSHIPS, and SENSITIVITY.
Is it really worthwhile to CLING to and CRAVE the FALSE HAPPINESS which is pure DELUSION? Is it worthwile to reject the work and dedication which is required? Is it really worthwhile to experience SUFFERING? Look at the lists below. Are these really worth the price of FALSE HAPPINESS?
The DEMAND for VISCERAL SATISFACTION brings Cares and Anxiety, Longing, Discontent, Irritation, and occasionally Fear.
The DEMAND for EGO SATISFACTION brings Anguish, Regrets and Recriminations, Desire, Disappointment, Annoyance, a sense of Futility, Anger, and sometimes Panic.
The DEMAND for DOMINANCE causes Frustration, Remorse, Passion, Disillusion, Hatred, and Rage.
All these experience, and hundreds of other variations of them that we have discussed are symptoms of mankind's learned acceptance of the DEMANDS.
Would you like to relieve yourself of SUFFERING? Would you like to relieve yourself of the UNNATURAL STRESS that DEMANDS bring? Would you like to obtain a life with true joy and happiness? Do you wish to regain your birthright of SENSITIVITY, CORRECT DISCRIMINATION, and NATURAL INTELLIGENCE? Would you like to experience true GLADNESS, COMPASSION, and BENEVOLENT LOVE? Would you like your WISDOM to grow so that you are not GOVERNED by FOLLY?
The answers are your answers. The decisions to be made are your decisions. If you wish, you can take the CORRECT PATH to a NATURAL LIFE. Our INTENTIONS are only to make available the knowledge about the alternatives. Those who see their own SUFFERING and believe that they know what DEMANDS govern their behaviour, can look at the other DRIVES which have less strength within them and see how they sometimes support and sometimes resist the governing force. Sometimes the GOVERNING DRIVE will not enter into the picture at all. It as if the commanding IDENTITY is saying to the less powerful IDENTITIES, "This is not my concern. Do what you want with the situation".
It is amazing what SUFFERING we are prepared to take in exchange for the false pleasures of this world. It is absurd that we are so blind to our own FOLLY. It is amazing that we cannot see the true beauty which is available in the NATURAL life. We needn't look at this with blindness believing that a prosperous life must be denied. There is nothing incorrect about living in this world. There is no fault in being successful or wealthy. The problem lies in the DEMANDS which motivate the behaviour which bring these things. It is the CLINGING and the CRAVING that is the error. There are ways to have, enjoy, and appreciate a fine meal without all the SUFFERING. There are ways to work and enjoy without the SUFFERING. There are ways of dancing and being merry without adulterating and destroying the human system.
It has no doubt been difficult for most readers to face this flow of concepts which point out mankind's chosen lot of SUFFERING. The serious Mantra reciter will, however, understand the necessity of analyzing the SUFFERING which is all around us every day. It is neither pessimistic nor negative to view this SUFFERING, for you cannot combat an unseen enemy. The sage person will not be burdened by the apparent seriousness of the problem. That is also FOLLY. If you feel serious yourself at this moment, let go of that seriousness. Allow happiness to flow within you.
If you can do this, then you will have learned a marvellous liberating thing, that seeing the existence of your own SUFFERING is a happy event. Laugh at your past FOLLY! Enjoy the first fruits of your knowledge. You possess the keys to the door of personal LIBERATION. You can walk in the midst of the world with joy, participating and partaking in its fruits.
You can do this without CLINGING, without SUFFERING. You can be in the world without being a part of its FOLLY and madness. You can live with JOY. All that you must do is release your own NATURAL WISDOM. It is said that when the COMPASSION MANTRA is recited then the heavens quake and the earth trembles as the Mantra penetrates heaven and earth. This poetic license really does describe the power and effectivity of the Mantra. If you don't believe with full confidence that reciting the Mantra will bring about a change, then you will have created a self fulfilling prophesy. With sincere recitation, correct preparation and confidence, you will succeed in liberating your own natural power.
QUIESCENT SUFFERING
When a person wins a prize they believe that they are HAPPY. When they enjoy buying a new book they believe that they are HAPPY. When they are listening to a piece of music it is likely that they believe that they are HAPPY. Actually, in each of these cases they may be SUFFERING. That seems like a rather strange idea, doesn't it? It is, however, the truth. The problem is that they probably do not know how to really enjoy themselves and do not even recognize TRUE PLEASURE. There is nothing at all wrong with enjoying the winning of a prize, buying a new book, or listening to music if each is done in the correct way.
The problem is that most people have been taught the wrong way to enjoy things. As a result, all sorts of hidden problems are being created every day by this incorrect concept of what enjoyment is. This SUFFERING which is building itself up quietly and unobserved in everyone is the second type of SUFFERING. It is called QUIESCENT SUFFERING. It has the same base as the first, which is IGNORANCE. In this form of SUFFERING it is clear that DELUSION, GREED, and HOSTILE AVERSION are also present. The face of this SUFFERING is well hidden because it is covered with a mantle of false joy and satisfaction.
QUIESCENT SUFFERING is being laid down when someone is APPARENTLY eating and enjoying something as simple as an ice cream cone. At that moment of enjoyment they will not be experiencing SUFFERING, but, unless they are very mindful, they will probably be laying down the framework of future SUFFERING through the satiation of GREED and the creation of a state of CLINGING. This CLINGING is the SUFFERING which a person experiences at the moment of the possession of an object of desire. It is based on the visceral sensation and the emotions and cognitive thoughts connected to enjoying the object.
Can you see that this type of enjoyment creates YOU the ENJOYER, the PROCESS of ENJOYING, and IT the OBJECT of enjoyment? In the person's mind the IDENTITY wants to enjoy IT again. Every time that the situation of apparent enjoyment and satiation of a DEMAND occurs, the desire that YOU should have IT again in the future is reinforced.
CLINGING augments future SUFFERING by increasing the CRAVING for the object or situation. The more that possession with enjoyment occurs, the stronger the desire will be. Strangely enough, if a person doesn't always get what he wants, then this actually increases the CRAVING even more.
It is difficult to believe that this innocent experience can be so damaging. Multiply that CLINGING by hundreds of events each day and you can perhaps see the danger. Remember that every time a WANT or DESIRE is realized, then it increases the SUFFERING you will experience if that desire is not met in the future. CRAVING is like a drug. CLINGING is the latent power of that drug.
The eventual reward of drug satiation is so apparently fantastic that victims are willing to accept the SUFFERING of not always being rewarded. If you can see this clearly, then you will fully understand this second form of SUFFERING.
What is most important is the fact that you will have learned to see SUFFERING in its most hidden form, during the process of its reinforcement. Furthermore, you will be able to see that those who are in error in setting up their own QUIESCENT SUFFERING merit your COMPASSION as well as those who experience the other forms. Perhaps you will then also be able to see why the BUDDHA saw all as SUFFERING.
Just as there are three faces in COMMON MENTAL SUFFERING, so there are three in QUIESCENT SUFFERING, The CLINGING to VISCERAL SATISFACTION, the CLNGING to EGO SATISFACTION, and the CLINGING to SUPER EGO DOMINATION.
TRUE CONTENTMENT, PLEASURE, and ELATION
If you can see that the contentment, pleasure and elation which man experiences is more often than not a FALSE state, then you will naturally wonder if there are TRUE counterparts which we have somehow discarded in our acceptance of the FALSE. Indeed there are.
Can you see that when you view a beautiful sunset you are clearly declaring, "There is the sunset and I am here seeing it"? This appears like a perfectly healthy response, but this is an INCORRECT ATTITUDE. You have created by this ATTITUDE a VIEWER who is perceiving the sunset and a OBJECT which is being perceived. The true appreciation of a sunset, and in fact anything that can be touched by any of our senses, comes from setting aside the concept of YOU the PERCEIVER and IT the OBJECT.
True enjoyment comes from the integration of perceiver and object so that they become AS ONE. If you have experienced this real integration on some occasion, then you will remember the experience as being very special and not at all the same as what you normally consider to be PLEASURE. This experience of INTEGRATION is an experience of TRUE PLEASURE and it is actually available to you all the time if you can manage to lay aside your personal IDENTITY.
We actually create for ourselves a strange paradox. We split the apparent OBJECT off from the image of OURSELVES, creating an IDENTITY, and then try to possess the OBJECT by CLINGING and CRAVING. How absurd this is. We let go something which is already fully a part of us in order that we can experience a very tepid form of pleasure, while clinging and craving to the thing we have foolishly cast away.
Let us look at another example of this folly-filled INCORRECT ATTITUDE. If you go for a walk in the country maintaining the role of the OBSERVER or VIEWER, then you are also cheating yourself by creating FALSE PLEASURE. You would be making the mistake of setting yourself OBJECTIVES and would probably be CLINGING to all that you saw without actually SEEING anything at all. You would be creating for yourself all sorts of EXPECTATIONS and DESIRES. This is a formula for disaster. How much better if everyone were to lay aside the concept of WALKER OBSERVER and OBJECTIVE and become "WALKING". How much better if everyone was to no longer DEVOUR everything like a predator and become AS ONE with the environment.
Now this is very easy to do intellectually, but it is very difficult to do so that BECOMING is a part of you. There are millions who do an excellent job, for example, of protecting the environment, creating individually and as groups, a consciousness that is correct.
How unfortunate it is that most of these people have only an intellectual association with nature. The only way to really join with nature is to lay aside IDENTITY and enter into the PROCESS. It is the presence of an IDENTITY, you see, that creates a FALSE PLEASURE. Lay aside your IDENTITY and you automatically release TRUE PLEASURE.
This is the secret to life. Don't be anything, just BECOME. Don't be a WALKER, become WALKING. Don't be a COOK, become COOKING. Don't be a SITTER, become SITTING. Do you get the idea? You must be careful, for it would be a mistake to set TRUE PLEASURE up as a goal or objective, as this would be just another CRAVING. Do you see how careful you must be? What you must do is open yourself to what is NATURAL and then accept the TRUE PLEASURE as an accompanying event. There is then NO ATTACHMENT to the phenomenon. Without either ATTACHMENT or IDENTITY there is no POTENTIAL SUFFERING.
Most people tread the line between the FALSE PLEASURE which comes from the ANTICIPATION and EXPECTATION of SATIATION, and the SUFFERING which comes from fear of the possible DENIAL of that FALSE PLEASURE. They accept the SUFFERING so that they can obtain what they believe are the PLEASURES of this life. What they don't know is that they do not have to SUFFER at all and that the PLEASURES which they seek are false. TRUE PLEASURE is unknown to them.
So strong is this seeking of FALSE PLEASURE that most people mask and refuse to know or accept all the SUFFERING that they experience, believing themselves to be HAPPY. The wise see the folly in all SUFFERING and allow it to fall away and they replace FALSE PLEASURE with a TRUE PLEASURE which is both correct and natural. The great problem is that giving up FALSE PLEASURE, which seems so real, in exchange for the promise of an unexperienced PLEASURE, is extremely difficult.
It is certainly true that IGNORANCE appears to be BLISS, and if the effect was only superficial, perhaps we would not think it was important. The problem is threefold. First, even if the SUFFERING is hidden, it will eventually surface with ferocity. Second, this hidden suffering manifests itself in all sorts of ways physiologically. Ulcers, cancer, and heart problems are just a few of the consequences of this CLINGING and CRAVING if we accept the internal lies and justifications which we make, so that we do not have to change.
The third point is of extreme importance. The acceptance of the FALSE PLEASURE which we experience eliminates any chance that one can experience true and natural PLEASURE and live fully and naturally. The beauty is that once we eliminate the FALSE enjoyment, we automatically liberate all that is natural and true.
Can you now see why is it so important that we need to understand about FALSE CONTENTMENT, PLEASURE, ELATION, and POTENTIAL SUFFERING if there is to be a full understanding of the MANTRA of COMPASSION? It is because your COMPASSION must be directed at all those who do not appear to be SUFFERING, as well as to those who have evident SUFFERING. Your COMPASSION has to be directed to all those who are building their potential for future SUFFERING through QUIESCENT SUFFERING, and are blinded to that suffering by the strength of their CLINGING. It has to be directed to all those who are in this world closed to their own potential to enjoy true happiness